Birmingham AL vs Cincinnati OH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Cincinnati
38.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 309,595 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 33.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.1% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 25.6% | 49.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 67.1% | 38.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Cincinnati
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $51,707 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $38,878 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,300 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.8% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 24.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 41.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Cincinnati
$252,784
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Cincinnati
38.9%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $252,784 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 38.9% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Cincinnati
1866
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1866 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Cincinnati
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Cincinnati
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 38.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.0% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.1% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 54.2°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 47.7 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Cincinnati
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Cincinnati
24.8 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.8 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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